Building a Greener L.A.

Los Angeles /PRNewswire/ – The United States Green Building Council – Los Angeles Chapter (USGBC-LA) recently honored New Pacific Realty with its second annual Visionary Leadership Award; California State Senator Kevin Murray as Green Legislator of the Year; and the Los Angeles Community College District with the Sustainable Future Award at the USGBC-LA's second annual "Swing into Green" gala.

The Visionary Leadership Award recognizes New Pacific Realty for its commitment to sustainable design with 9900 Wilshire, which will be the first privately-financed LEED® Gold certified condominium project in the Western United States. Located on the site of the former Robinson's May department store in Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire is designed by Pritzker award-winning architect Richard Meier.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the USGBC-LA," says David Margulies, chief executive officer of New Pacific Realty. "New Pacific Realty is committed to a greener, more sustainable way to build for our future. When completed, 9900 Wilshire will show that not only is green building the responsible way to build a better Southern California, but that it is economically feasible in the residential arena as well."

The Green Legislator of the Year Award recognizes California State Senator Kevin Murray (D-SD 24) for his years of leadership in promoting sustainable practices in California and for his authorship of Senate Bill 1 into law. Senate Bill 1, in conjunction with the California Solar Initiative, will create the largest solar energy program in the nation; provide long-term cost savings for ratepayers; install more than 3,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy; diversify the State's energy portfolio; lessen dependence on fossil fuels; and create a flourishing, subsidy-free solar energy market in California.

The USGBC-LA's Sustainable Future Award this year recognizes the Board of Trustees and Larry Eisenberg, executive director of Facilities Planning, at the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). The LACCD is currently undertaking the largest public sector green building program in the United States, as funded by the $2.2 billion Proposition A/AA Bond Program. The LACCD opened its first green building in April 2006 at Los Angeles Valley College. The new maintenance and operations facility at Valley College is LEED certified, and has numerous features designed to reduce energy, water, and light impacts.

"As the largest community college district in the nation, we have a responsibility to lead the way in both the education of our students and the environment that we create on our campuses," says Michael Waxman, president of the board of trustees for the LACCD. "Our green building program is a cornerstone of our commitment to a green and sustainable future for our students, faculty and staff. We also hope that our actions will serve to inspire others."

About the United States Green Building Council - LA Chapter The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The Council has more than 7,200 member organizations and a network of more than 80 regional chapters that are united to advance the Council’s mission of transforming the building industry to sustainability. The mission of the USGBC-LA Chapter is to improve the economic, social and environmental performance of Southern California regional development through the integration of green building practices. Today, USGBC-LA represents the greater Los Angeles area, including Santa Barbara, that are committed to making their communities better places to live through smarter planning, better public policy, and greener development. For more information, visit www.USGBC-LA.org.

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